The Homesteader

In the New Mexico territory of the late 19th century, widow Molly Kling and ranch hand Trace Westerman meet in the foothills where Molly has gone to get slate rocks for the foundation to her planned house on the land she is homesteading. With her three step-children in the wagon, Molly is not about to take chances, so she keeps her rifle pointed at Trace, who looks like a vagrant after being thrown from his horse nearby. After the death of her husband at the hands of robbers, Molly lost the family farm, and has moved west with her step-children to settle on their own homestead. Trying to prove her land as a widow without farm hands in the new territory is difficult, and meeting Trace, who proves himself to be a great help on the barely-started farm, is a godsend.

However, though Trace is not dangerous, the gang that he has tracked to this area is. The gang is vicious, and its members have no compunctions about destroying property, burning, looting, and committing murder to take what they want. With a history between them, Trace’s presence at the Kling farm stirs the interest of the gang in the widow and her family and possessions. Will the family survive to settle their land? Can Trace protect Molly without becoming emotionally involved?

I really liked this Western romance story. It is written in a style that seems at once historically accurate, as well as fresh and realistic. The author very quickly brings the reader deep into the lives of Molly Kling and her children, presenting us with a clear picture of the hardships suffered by the settlers of the West and giving us a deeply felt admiration for the people, who suffered to build life for themselves and their families. Although I thought the plot was a little “busy,” it was well paced and had no slow spots, and was very readable.

Ms. Kelso states in the dedication to this book and in an interview on the Wings ePress site that the character of Molly Kling is based on that of her grandmother, a pioneer of 19th century New Mexico, and her admiration for this ancestor shines throughout the book. The characters of Molly, Trace, the step-children, and many other characters in the cast are very well drawn, becoming real people to the reader. This is not a novel with graphic love scenes, but the caring between the hero and heroine is obvious. I would recommend this book highly as a historical novel for teenagers as well as adults.

Reviewed by: Jean